Boats remain unrocked and the status stayed quo as voters mostly opted for the tried-and-true in Tuesday’s general election – especially locally.

Republicans will retain control of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners, and a spirited campaign by a Democratic challenger for a 4th District representative seat failed to unseat a controversial incumbent.

Newcomer Shelly O’Quinn will represent District 2, which includes the majority of the Spokane Valley area, as county commissioner, succeeding incumbent Mark Richard who is stepping down. As of Tuesday night, O’Quinn led Democratic challenger Daryl Romeyn 81,281 votes to 68,256.

Incumbent Republican Todd Mielke, representing District 1, held off a challenge by former Commissioner John Roskelley with 54 percent of the vote.

Republican Rep. Matt Shea will hold his 4th District seat in the Legislature, despite eschewing many media outlets during the course of his campaign after a misdemeanor weapons charge following a road-rage incident. He solidly bested Democrat Amy Biviano with 57 percent of the vote and will continue to represent Spokane Valley in Olympia.

Also, 5th District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will continue to serve in Congress after a solid defense against her Democratic challenger, Rich Cowan.

“I am humbled and excited that a strong majority of Eastern Washington voters showed their continued confidence in me and our positive, constructive ideas for America’s future by re-electing me to a fifth term in Congress,” McMorris Rodgers said.

Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell will return to the Senate, while it appears Jay Inslee, another Democrat, will head to Olympia as Washington governor. The gubernatorial race, however, remained close as of Wednesday.

While Cantwell was narrowly favored by Spokane County voters, Republican Rob McKenna was the overwhelming local favorite for governor.

And President Barack Obama snagged 303 electoral votes – including Washington state’s 12 – to win re-election over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who was favored in Spokane County with 51.5 percent of the vote.

In other statewide races, it appears that a referendum approving same-sex marriage and an initiative favoring possession of small amounts of marijuana were on their way to statewide passage. An initiative that would allow for the creation of charter schools in Washington state was also receiving support.

As of Wednesday morning, Spokane County vote totals were:
State Senator 4th District

TheSpokane Valley News Heraldis the City of Spokane Valley, Washington's official Newspaper.
The City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington
named the Spokane Valley News Herald as the city's "official"
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year.